What comes to mind when you think of rabies?   Maybe you remember the movie ‘Old Yeller.’  Or you think about a raccoon wandering around during the day.  But do you think about skunks?  Or bats?  Or your pet dog or cat?  How about yourself?

 

To recognize World Rabies Day on September 28th, we'd like to share some facts about rabies and how you can protect yourself and your pet from this fatal virus.

 

Rabies is a viral infection spread in saliva from an infected animal.   Rabies can affect any warm-blooded mammal, including bats and humans.  The first written record of rabies was more than 4000 years ago.  Worldwide, around 55,000 people die every year from rabies.  In the United States, there are approximately 7000 cases of animal rabies every year.

 

Symptoms of rabies include anxiety, aggression, restlessness, erratic behavior, weakness, tremors and hydrophobia (fear of water).  Nocturnal animals may be seen wandering listlessly during the day, and wild animals may lose their fear of humans.

 

There is no cure for rabies.  It is almost always fatal.

 

According to the Ohio Department of Health, in 2010 there were 41 cases of bats with rabies, 2 cases of raccoons with rabies, and 3 cases of skunks with rabies.  Bats accounted for 4 rabies cases each in Franklin & Delaware Counties and 1 case in Madison County.  So far in 2011, Franklin County has had 6 cases of rabies in bats.  Bats have been responsible for the majority of human fatalities from rabies in the United States from 1995-2010.

 

So how do you protect yourself and your pets?  All dogs, cats and ferrets should be vaccinated for rabies (this is a law in Franklin County).  Keep your pets up to date!  Even ‘indoor only’ pets should be vaccinated.  Bats can easily get into homes and infect indoor pets and humans.  Cats are more likely than dogs to become infected with rabies in part because so many of them are not vaccinated.

 

What happens if you are bitten by an animal?  All animal bites are required to be reported to the local Department of Health.  Any animal bite should be cleaned thoroughly with warm, soapy water and seen by a doctor.  Animal bites can become very infected quickly and may require antibiotics.  Your risk of rabies should also be assessed.

 

Domestic animals who bite a person must be quarantined for 10 days, after which they require an exam by a veterinarian to determine if the pet is showing signs of rabies.  If the pet is not up to date on its rabies vaccine, it can be vaccinated at the 10 day check.

 

Wild animals who bite a person should immediately be reported to the local Department of Wildlife.  Give as detailed a description as possible as to the location of the animal.  Again, all people bitten by an animal should be seen by a doctor as soon as possible.

 

Protect yourself and your pet!  Do not approach wild animals.  Do not attempt to catch bats who find their way into your home.  Report all animal bites.  And most importantly, VACCINATE YOUR CATS, DOGS AND FERRETS AGAINST RABIES!